Cover A prominent figure in South Korean television since her 2001 debut, Son Ye-jin has maintained a steady screen presence across terrestrial melodramas, psychological thrillers, and global streaming productions. Here are 10 essential Son Ye-jin K-dramas to watch (Photo: IMDb)
A prominent figure in South Korean television since her 2001 debut, Son Ye-jin has maintained a steady screen presence across terrestrial melodramas, psychological thrillers, and global streaming productions. Here are 10 essential Son Ye-jin K-dramas to watch (Photo: IMDb)
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Relive the heart-warming magic of Son Ye-jin k-dramas, following her screen career from early love stories to global hits
Son Ye-jin holds a distinct position in South Korea’s entertainment industry, having bridged the transition from early 2000s television melodrama to the global streaming era. Often referred to in Korean media as the “Nation’s First Love”, her career trajectory reflects the broader evolution of South Korean television production over more than two decades. Rather than relying solely on romantic tropes, her filmography displays a deliberate selection of roles that test female agency, grief, and emotional endurance across diverse genres.
Her work spans early youth series on public terrestrial channels to high-budget international co-productions on global platforms. Through careful role selection, she has maintained relevant screen presence while anchoring some of the most commercially successful television projects in South Korean history. Exploring Son Ye-jin k-dramas reveals an actor whose screen choices consistently mirror the changing demands of domestic and international audiences. Here are 10 must-watch K-dramas starring Son Ye-jin.
Read more: 10 amazing K-drama female leads who broke the mould
1. ‘The Scandal’ (2026)
Above A subversive Joseon-era psychological drama exploring power, moral ambiguity, and calculated seduction through a dark aristocratic lens
In this Netflix period drama based on the 18th century French novel ‘Les Liaisons dangereuses’, Son Ye-jin stars as Lady Cho Yun, a sharp noblewoman navigating the social constraints of the Joseon dynasty. Bounded by systemic limitations, she engages in a calculated game of seduction and emotional manipulation with her cousin Cho-won, played by Ji Chang-wook. The dynamic shifts when Cho-won targets Ahn Hui-yeon, a virtuous young widow portrayed by Nana, leading to unpredictable psychological consequences. Directed by Jung Ji-woo, the eight-episode series explores themes of power, social hierarchy, and gender roles.
Departing from typical sageuk tropes of pure romance or royal court intrigue, the production distinguishes itself through a cynical examination of aristocratic boredom and moral ambiguity. Unlike traditional historical television series that rely on idealised protagonists, the narrative framed its main figures through a darker, psychological lens, incorporating traditional pansori storytelling to critique upper-class vanity. This unconventional approach resonated internationally, pushing the series into top global viewership charts and marking a significant shift in how Korean television adapts classic Western literature for contemporary global audiences.
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2. ‘Thirty-Nine’ (2022)
Above An intimate slice-of-life narrative following three lifelong friends navigating grief, terminal illness, and personal crossroads on the threshold of forty
This slice-of-life drama available on Netflix centres on three women standing on the precipice of turning forty. Son Ye-jin portrays Cha Mi-jo, a head dermatologist at a clinic in Gangnam who was adopted into a wealthy family. The story focuses on her close friendship with Jung Chan-young, played by Jeon Mi-do, and Jang Joo-hee, played by Kim Ji-hyun. The narrative turns when Chan-young receives a terminal illness diagnosis, forcing the group to confront mortality, personal ambition, and romantic relationships. Yeon Woo-jin co-stars as Kim Sun-woo, a fellow dermatologist who forms a relationship with Mi-jo.
3. ‘Crash Landing On You’ (2019-2020)
Above A sweeping cross-border romance depicting an heiress stranded in North Korea and the military officer who attempts to protect her
This romantic series follows Yoon Se-ri, played by Son Ye-jin, a South Korean fashion heiress who accidentally paraglides into the North Korean portion of the Demilitarised Zone. She is discovered by Ri Jeong-hyeok, a North Korean army captain played by Hyun Bin. To protect her, Jeong-hyeok hides Se-ri in his village while plotting a way to return her home safely. The cast includes Kim Jung-hyun as Alberto Gu, a runaway businessman, and Seo Ji-hye as Seo Dan, a North Korean heiress. Son Ye-jin k-dramas saw unprecedented international viewership with this series, which aired on tvN and streamed globally on Netflix.
4. ‘Something In the Rain’ (2018)
Above A grounded contemporary romance addressing workplace hierarchy, family expectations, and the social taboos of dating a younger man
Streaming on Netflix, this realistic romance delves into social taboos surrounding age gaps and workplace dynamics in modern Seoul. Son Ye-jin plays Yoon Jin-ah, a store supervisor at a coffee franchise who feels stagnant in her mid-thirties. Her life changes when Seo Joon-hee, played by Jung Hae-in, returns from working abroad. Joon-hee is the younger brother of Jin-ah’s childhood friend. As their casual acquaintance transforms into a romantic relationship, the couple faces opposition from Jin-ah’s family and workplace harassment within her corporate setting.
5. ‘Don’t Look Back: The Legend of Orpheus’ (2013)
Above A tense revenge thriller centred on a prosecutor who unwittingly investigates a murder web tied to her own family and her former love
Also known as ‘Shark’, this KBS2 revenge thriller features Son Ye-jin as Jo Hae-woo, a prosecutor investigating a series of murders linked to her wealthy family’s past. She collaborates with Han Yi-soo, played by Kim Nam-gil, a man who survived a murder attempt by Hae-woo’s family years prior and returned with a fake identity to seek vengeance. The drama explores themes of justice, betrayal, and lingering affection, with Ha Seok-jin co-starring as Hae-woo’s husband, Oh Joon-young. The series is accessible on select regional streaming services including Viki.
6. ‘Personal Taste’ (2010)
Above A classic cohabitation romantic comedy following an eccentric designer who mistakenly assumes her new roommate is gay
In this MBC romantic comedy based on a novel of the same name, Son Ye-jin portrays Park Kae-in, an impulsive furniture designer who lives in a traditional hanok house designed by her architect father. Desperate for money, she rents a room to Jeon Jin-ho, an ambitious architect played by Lee Min-ho. Kae-in mistakenly assumes Jin-ho is gay, leading to a cohabitation arrangement where Jin-ho studies the house’s architectural framework for a competitive design project. Kim Ji-seok and Wang Ji-hye feature as rivals in love and business. The series is available on Viki.
7. ‘Spotlight’ (2008)
Above A fast-paced workplace drama focused on the high-pressure world of newsroom reporting, journalistic integrity, and political investigation
Set within the high-pressure environment of a television news broadcast station, this MBC workplace drama stars Son Ye-jin as Seo Woo-jin, an ambitious reporter aiming to break major news stories. She works alongside Oh Tae-suk, played by Ji Jin-hee, a demanding newsroom director who pushes her to maintain journalistic integrity. The narrative follows Woo-jin’s professional development as she uncovers political corruption and handles corporate pressure. The show offers a realistic view of Korean broadcast journalism in the late 2000s and is available through archive streaming services.
8. ‘Alone In Love’ (2006)
Above An understated character study examining the quiet emotional residual effects and lingering attachment between a divorced couple
This SBS drama presents a realistic, understated portrayal of divorce and post-marital friendship. Son Ye-jin plays Yoo Eun-ho, a swimming instructor who remains closely involved in the life of her ex-husband, Lee Dong-jin, played by Kam Woo-sung. Despite signing divorce papers following a personal tragedy, the former couple continues to meet at their usual haunts and subtly interfere in each other’s new dating attempts. Co-starring Gong Hyung-jin and Lee Ha-na, the series received praise for its sharp dialogue. It is accessible on platforms offering legacy Korean broadcasting content.
9. ‘Summer Scent’ (2003)
Above A quintessential early Hallyu melodrama weaving fate, heart-transplant memory, and tragedy into a lush seasonal romance
As the third instalment in director Yoon Seok-ho’s seasonal drama quartet, this KBS2 romance stars Son Ye-jin as Shim Hye-won, a florist who underwent a heart transplant in her youth. She encounters Min-woo, played by Song Seung-heon, an architect mourning his deceased fiancée. Unknown to both, the heart transplant Hye-won received came from Min-woo’s late lover, causing her pulse to race whenever Min-woo is near. Ryu Jin and Han Ji-hye co-star as their prospective partners. The project solidified Son Ye-jin k-dramas as foundational titles of the early Hallyu wave.
10. ‘Sweet Proposal’ (2001)
Above A lighthearted culinary drama tracing ambition, class divides, and young love within the competitive restaurant scene of Seoul
Marking Son Ye-jin’s debut on television, this MBC series focuses on the competitive culinary world of Seoul. She plays Jang Hee-ae, a young woman raised in a wealthy family that owns a major restaurant chain. Hee-ae’s passion for food leads her to form a relationship with Kim Chae-won, played by Jung Joon, an aspiring chef working at a modest, traditional Chinese restaurant. The drama explores themes of class differences, culinary ambition, and family loyalties, featuring early supporting performances from So Ji-sub and Ji Sung. The show remains a notable historical marker among early Son Ye-jin k-dramas.
Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
